Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster Copycat Recipe

May 16, 2025

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The primary time I attempted Panda Categorical, I used to be a broke faculty scholar searching for a fast meal between lessons. Whereas my pals gravitated towards the Orange Rooster, I used to be instantly drawn to the Mushroom Rooster. One thing concerning the savory sauce and tender bites felt each indulgent and considerably more healthy than the fried choices.

Years later, once I moved to a small city and not using a Panda Categorical, I craved that acquainted dish after a very disturbing workweek. The closest location was over an hour away, and supply wasn’t an possibility. Decided to fulfill my craving, I scoured my pantry and fridge, pulling out rooster thighs, mushrooms, and zucchini on its final legs.

After a number of makes an attempt and tweaks to the sauce, I lastly created a model that happy my craving and tasted higher than what I remembered from the restaurant. The most effective half? It value lower than half what I might have spent on takeout, and I might management precisely what went into it. Every time I’m tempted to order Chinese language meals, I remind myself how rapidly I can whip up this dish from components I often have available – saving each time and money within the course of.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken over rice in a bowl.

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What makes Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster so good?

Overlook costly takeouts and make the Mushroom Rooster Panda Categorical served at their eating places in your kitchen. This copycat recipe will provide help to lower your expenses and eat more healthy with out sacrificing taste. You’ll be able to even prep it prematurely, permitting you to have a selfmade dinner in minutes!

Your loved ones will love the tender rooster, comfortable mushrooms, and tender zucchini in a savory sauce. Don’t fear; you may supply all of the components for this Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster recipe out of your native grocery store, however you’ll nonetheless get that genuine style and love!

Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster components

For the sauce, you’ll want:

Rooster broth – offers a taste base for the sauce.
Soy sauce – offers the sauce an umami taste.
Seasoned rice vinegar – lends a gentle acidity and a contact of sweetness.
Garlic, minced – provides a pungent fragrant style.
Recent ginger, finely grated – contributes some heat and freshness to the sauce.
Cornstarch – thickens the sauce.
Water – used to dissolve the cornstarch

For the rooster, you’ll want:

Mushrooms – bulk up the dish and add extra umami taste.
Zucchini – offers coloration and texture together with a gentle sweetness.
Boneless, skinless rooster thighs – are the primary protein within the dish.
Cornstarch offers the rooster a slight crust and helps it brown higher.
Sesame oil -supplies a singular nutty, toasted aroma and uniquely “Asian” style.

Keep away from substituting rooster breasts. Rooster thighs keep tender and juicier on this Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster recipe.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken ingredients on a tray.

make Mushroom Rooster like Panda Categorical

To make the sauce.

Mix all of the sauce components in a medium saucepan.
Place the saucepan over medium warmth.
Whisk constantly till the sauce thickens and involves a boil.
Take away the saucepan from the warmth and canopy to maintain heat.

To complete the Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster copycat recipe:

Brush off the mushrooms with a humid kitchen towel and slice them into 1/4-inch slices. Reserve for later.
Wash and dry the zucchini. Slice it in half lengthwise, then lower the halves into 1/4-inch half-moons. Put it apart.
Minimize the boneless rooster thighs into 3/4 to 1-inch chunks.
Place the cornstarch in a big mixing bowl. Toss the cubed rooster within the cornstarch and shake off the surplus. Place the coated rooster on a wire rack to arrange for no less than 5 minutes.
Warmth two tablespoons of sesame oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the rooster to the skillet, however don’t overcrowd it. Prepare dinner in batches, if mandatory. Pan-fry the rooster till evenly browned on all sides and cooked by means of. Drain the cooked rooster on paper towels.

Making Panda Express mushroom chicken sauce and cooking the chicken.

Wipe out the skillet and warmth two extra tablespoons of sesame oil over medium warmth. Add the mushrooms, once more, don’t overcrowd the pan. Prepare dinner the mushrooms for about two minutes, or till they’re evenly coloured.
Add the zucchini and stir. Prepare dinner till simply tender.
Return the rooster to the skillet and toss to heat.
Take away the skillet from the warmth and add the nice and cozy sauce. Stir effectively.
Serve instantly.

Cooking copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken and zucchini.

What to serve with mushroom rooster

Spoon Mushroom Rooster Panda Categorical fashion over white or brown rice and add just a few facet dishes for a correct Asian-inspired meal. Listed below are just a few options:

Egg Drop Soup. Don’t worry this recipe. It is without doubt one of the best soups to prepare dinner, and it tastes even higher than the stuff you get at your native Chinese language restaurant. Do-it-yourself Egg Drop Soup is gentle and flavorful, making it superb to pair with any Asian-inspired rooster dish. You’ll be able to even make it a meal by including some cooked veggies and rice or noodles.

Egg Foo Younger. Egg Foo Younger is a lot greater than only a Chinese language omelet. You’ll be able to simply customise the eggs together with your selection of protein and veggies, however it’s the addictively scrumptious gravy that makes this a easy must-try dish.

Blended Veggies. Positive, copycat Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster has some greens. Nevertheless, you may by no means have too many, particularly when they’re as scrumptious as these Panda Categorical Blended Greens. The key to their superb taste is the savory sauce made with rooster inventory, garlic, ginger, with a contact of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken over rice and wood serving utensils.

Panda Categorical Mushroom Rooster Copycat Recipe

Leftover storage and reheating directions

Let the leftovers cool and retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as three days. If you wish to freeze it, unfold it on a rimmed baking sheet and freeze earlier than transferring to a freezer-safe container. Mushroom Rooster will last as long as a month within the freezer.

Place the thawed meals in a pan and place it over medium warmth. Sprinkle just a few tablespoons of water on prime and stir effectively. Prepare dinner till the rooster is scorching, 5 to 10 minutes relying on how a lot meals you might be reheating. Stir often to forestall the meals from burning.

Copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken over rice in bowl.

Extra copycat Panda Categorical rooster recipes:

Discover a lot of straightforward recipes for Chinese language meals and the most effective quick meals copycat recipes right here on CopyKat!